Going to the Iowa State Fair?
Ride your bike!
BIKEIOWA has been promoting bicycle transportation and bicycle parking at the Iowa State Fair since 2002, and for 2026 there's an important change that should make arriving by bicycle easier than ever.
Bicycle parking has moved from Gate 11 to Gate 13.
And this isn't simply a change in location.
It's an improvement.
The bicycle parking area is now located inside the Fair's outer perimeter fence, but outside the pedestrian security and admission gates.
That means you can ride to Gate 13, lock up your bicycle in a secure area, and then walk through security and admission like everyone else.
No more maneuvering your bicycle through the security lines!
NEW FOR 2026 - Bicycle Parking at Gate 13
The Iowa State Fair has moved its bicycle racks from Gate 11 to Gate 13, located at the northwest corner of the Fairgrounds.
Enter from Maple Streetthrough Gate 13A to access Gate 13. There is a temporary stop light at that intersection during the fair.
The same bicycle racks previously used at Gate 11 are being relocated to the new parking area.
According to the Iowa State Fair, the new location was specifically selected so bicycles can be safely parked inside the outer perimeter fence while remaining outside the walk-through entrance gates.
That's a small change that should make a BIG difference for cyclists.
Why Gate 13 Is Better
Previously, bicycle parking was located inside Gate 11, which meant cyclists had to navigate their bicycles through the entrance and security process.
For 2026:
Ride in → Park your bike → Lock it → Walk through security → Enjoy the Fair.
Simple.
The new bicycle parking area will be:
- FREE
- Inside the Fair's perimeter
- Outside the admission/security entrance
- Located near people and activity
- In an area with security cameras
- Equipped with the same bicycle racks used in previous years
We still strongly recommend bringing your own bicycle lock.
NOTE: Your bicycle bags are subject to search when entering the grounds.
How to Get There
Look for Gate 13 at the northwest corner of the Iowa State Fairgrounds, near the intersection of E. 30th Street and Maple Street.
If you're accustomed to riding to the old bicycle parking at Gate 11, there's another nice improvement.
A new sidewalk along E. 30th Street provides a connection between the Gate 11 area and Gate 13. Please walk your bike if there ispedestrian traffic.
We've marked the new bicycle parking location on the Fairgrounds map.
Why Bike to the Iowa State Fair?
Let's be honest.
Parking at the Iowa State Fair can be an adventure all by itself.
Thousands of vehicles converge on the Fairgrounds every day, parking lots fill, traffic backs up, and you may still end up walking quite a distance after parking your vehicle.
A bicycle changes the equation.
Ride directly to the Fairgrounds, park for FREE, lock your bike and head inside.
No searching for a parking space.
No parking fee.
No waiting for a shuttle.
No trying to remember which enormous parking lot contains your vehicle eight hours later.
And after consuming your body weight in Fair food...
You've already got your ride home waiting for you.
Bring a Lock
While bicycle parking is located within the Fair's outer perimeter and the area has people and security cameras nearby, bring a good bicycle lock and use it.
Lock your frame - and preferably a wheel - to the bicycle rack.
If you're riding an expensive bicycle or e-bike, use the same common sense you would anywhere else you leave your bicycle unattended for several hours.
Remove easily detachable valuables such as:
- Computers
- Lights
- Bags containing valuables
- Batteries or accessories that can easily be removed
#ProTip - Take a photo of your bike before you walk away - this way you have a time-stamped photo of what you bike looked like, how it was locked up and any accessories in case you need it later.
A little preparation means you can enjoy the Fair without worrying about your ride home.
What About Bags?
If you're bringing panniers, a backpack, handlebar bag or other gear into the Fairgrounds, remember that bags are subject to security screening when entering the Fair.
The advantage of the new setup is that your bicycle itself doesn't need to make that trip through the security line.
Park and lock the bike first, grab whatever you're taking inside, and proceed through the Gate 13 entrance.
BIKEIOWA at the Iowa State Fair!
And there's another reason we're especially excited about the Fair this year.
BIKEIOWA will be there!
We'll be at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 23rd with Travel Iowa, helping showcase Iowa cycling, bicycle tourism and everything that makes Iowa such a great place to explore on two wheels.
So if you're heading to the Fair that day, come find us and say HI! We'll post a link soon!
Better yet...
Ride your bike there.
2026 Iowa State Fair Bicycle Parking - Quick Details
LOCATION: Gate 13 - Northwest corner of the Iowa State Fairgrounds
ACCESS: Enter from Maple Street / Maple Avenue
COST: FREE
BIKE RACKS: Yes
BRING A LOCK: Absolutely
SECURITY: Bicycle parking is inside the Fair's outer perimeter fence but outside the pedestrian security/admission gates.
BIG 2026 IMPROVEMENT: You no longer need to maneuver your bicycle through security before parking it.
Ride to the Fair!
For more than two decades, BIKEIOWA has encouraged cyclists to consider another way of getting to Iowa's biggest event.
Sometimes the bicycle isn't just recreation.
It's transportation.
The move to Gate 13 makes biking to the Iowa State Fair simpler, more convenient and more practical than it has been in years.
So pump up the tires, grab your lock, pick a route and ride to the Fair.
Then reward yourself accordingly.
You've already earned the corn dog.
RIDE. STAY. PLAY.
LINKS
Iowa State Fair:
Iowa State Fair
Iowa State Fair Overall Parking:
Iowa State Fair Parking
BIKEIOWA Events Calendar:
Find more Iowa cycling events
2025 BIKEIOWA Bicycle Parking Feature:
2025 Iowa State Fair Bicycle Parking